POTTSVILLE - The Pottsville City Council decided to look into possibly changing the city's policy of green-tagging electrical boxes to better suit contractors' needs during Monday night's meeting.

"I think we should operate like other cities operate," said Gerald Chenowith, a local contractor who spoke during the meeting. He said Potts-ville's current ordinance governing green tagging for electricity was a hindrance and caused contractors to fall behind schedule.

Currently, all house fixtures must be in place, including kitchen appliances, before a new construction can be green tagged and Entergy given the go-ahead to hook up and turn on the electricity. Building inspectors inspect the house prior to turning on the electricity, city council members said.

"The fact that you have to have everything in place before you turn on the electricity is a hardship for us (contractors)," said Butch Duvall, contractor. "It holds up a good inspection by us (to make certain the house is wired correctly)."

Duvall and Chenowith said it took 14-21 days to get the required electricity ran to connect permanent power to the homes they were building, then the contractors had to return to fix any problems with the house. One homeowner had moved into his house before the electricity was turned on and used temporary power run from a neighbor's home, Duvall said.

Contractors would like to see a change to streamline the green-tag process and to take the water off-line until certification. The water would remain turned off until the city got its final inspection, Duvall said.

Chenowith supported the original ordinance; however, after working with the policy said it needed to be changed.

"It's a catch-22," said Randy Tucker, contractor. "Technically, the green tag is just for the permanent box."

Tucker hadn't run into a lot of problems with the ordinance because he had a building inspector from Vilonia to come give his homes the final inspection and Certification of Occupancy.

Alderman George Woolf suggested the city hire a new building inspector to speed up the process, but Mayor Jerry Duvall said the city could not afford to hire a full-time inspector. Any change or revamping of the current ordinance would mean increasing rates, the mayor said. Pottsville has one of the lowest building permit and electric permit rates in the Arkansas River Valley, he said. The rate may need to change to a per square foot ratio, members said.

Woolf volunteered to look into the ordinance and compare Pottsville's policy with surrounding towns, such as Russellville. He will also take suggestions from contractors to solve the problem.

Contractors said they were not complaining about Pottsville's fees, and that they would be okay with a increase in permit costs.

Angel Lake project

The Angel Lake Development project will not be feasible without the aid of the city, said Loy Claunch, Tull & Associates, and Quinton Hillburn, a representative for Angel Lake Development.

Pottsville will have to chip in about $185,800 for building a force main and a lift station for the subdivision. Claunch said the city would have to apply for a rural development loan that would require a $15,000 application fee for water and soil studies upfront.

Angel Lake Development will have a completely new sewer system, trailers would be removed and a residential community would go around the lake with a park incorporated into the planning, Hillburn said. The multiple roads in and out of the area would be reduced.

"We'll be improving the waterlines as well," Hillburn said. Water pipes on River Road would be upgraded, he said. An added benefit for the city would be that other customers could be linked to the new sewer line, not just the Angel Lake homes.

Hillburn estimated 106 lots for the project, and said each residence would have a grinder pump, for which the city would only be responsible for the maintenance. The homes would be between 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, he said.

The project is only feasible through the building of homes themselves, Claunch said. Getting the area ready to be developed was not cost effective, but eventually, the system would pay for itself.

Hillburn said the project was 12 months away from being ready to begin building homes and once started, the development should be complete in less than 24 months.

The council voted to send the development plan to the Planning and Zoning Committee for approval or recommendations at 7 p.m. Nov. 7.

Other business

The council unanimously approved rezoning property on U.S. Highway 64 where Ricky Freeman plans to build Tri State Truss Company facilities, from C-3 (commercial) to I-2 (industrial).

The first draft of the new ordinance for the Pottsville Fire Department was read with members suggesting corrections and additions. Cliff and Stream subdivision will be under Crow Mountain Fire Department, instead of Pottsville Fire Department. Also, council members asked for a clause concerning emergency drivers' reckless driving and potential penalties.

Firefighter Chris Vick completed a training class in Little Rock and was named Rookie of The Year for the class, Fire Chief Vernon Lawhorn said. The chief added the city's new ISO rating would not take effect until February of next year.